Gitte Holtsø

Gitte Holtsø was educated at the Danish Ministry of Justice, which also included working with the public prosecutor and as a deputy judge. She has a Master of Laws (L.LM.) from the University of Cambridge (in EU law, competition law and IP law). She qualified as an English solicitor at BPP Law School in London in 2000 while working at Charles Russell's Solicitors, London, in their corporate and competition law division.

Gitte is highly experienced in assisting clients at all stages of a competition law case; from the initial investigations, the administrative procedure and eventually cases involving fines or damages. She represents clients in cases before the European Commission, the Danish competition authorities and the Danish Competition Appeals Tribunal, the Public prosecutor of Serious Economic Crime as well as before the Danish courts and the courts of the European Community (the Court of Justice and General Court).

She also renders strategic advice on general compliance. Gitte is particularly specialised in M&A related competition law and has extensive experience in Community filings as well as coordinating multinational filings. Other areas of expertise are state aid and liberalisation and competition law related areas of IP law and life science.

Public procurement is another area of expertise. She provides advice to suppliers as well as contracting authorities and their consultants. Gitte has been appointed an expert member of the Danish Public Contracts Appeals Board (Klagenævnet for Udbud) and she is a member of the procurement law expert panel of the Association of Danish Law Firms (Danske Advokater). 

Gitte has lectured in Competition Law at the University of Copenhagen.

Legal 500 (2013)

Gitte Holtsø is recommended as regards EU and Competition." She 'really understands the competition authorities'."

Gitte Holtsø is recommended as regards Media and Entertainment.

Chambers Europe (2012)

Gitte Holtsø is listed as a leading individual with respect to Competition/European Law/Public Procurement. "Interviewees comment that Gitte Holtsø is 'brilliant at understanding and providing counsel on risk-takings. She always takes both a textbook and a real-life approach and translates academic jargon into practical terms'."

Chambers Europe (2011)

Gitte Holtsø is listed as a leading individual with respect to Competition/European Law. "Gitte Holtsø has impressed clients with her practical and straightforward style.' She is not an old-school lawyer speaking from a textbook, she is very much hands-on'." 

Legal 500 (2011)

"Gitte Holtsø 'always provides valuable, to-the-point advice'" (EU and Competition)

PLC Which Lawyer? (2010 and 2011)

Endorsed by PLC Which Lawyer 2010 and 2011 as regards Competition/Anti-Trust and Public Procurement.

Legal 500 (2010)

"Gitte Holtsø provides 'timely, high-quality advice'." (EU and Competition)

Who's Who Legal (2010)

Gitte Holtsø is listed as a pre-eminent lawyer within competition law and public procurement law.

Chambers Europe (2009 and 2010)

Listed as a leading individual with respect to Competition/EU Law and she is rated and recommended as follows: "Gitte Holtsø continues to make her mark on the scene, focusing on M&A-related competition work and public procurement. 'She's intelligent and straightforward, with a keen analytical eye', say clients."

Practice areas

Automotive

Competition law

European community law

IP law

Legal Risk Management

Life Science

Media, entertainment, sports law and gambling law

Career path

2001 QLTT, BBP Law School, London

2000 LL.M., University of Cambridge

1999 Admitted to the Danish High Court

1995 Admitted to the bar

1991 Master of Laws, University of Copenhagen

Positions of trust

Expert member of the Danish Complaints Board for Public Procurement

Memberships

Appointed an expert member of the Danish Public Contracts Appeals Board (Klagenævnet for Udbud)

Member of the procurement law expert panel of the Association of Danish Law Firms (Danske Advokater) 

Association of Media and Entertainment Law

Danish Association for European Law

Danish Association for Competition Law

Selected publications

"A Practical Guide to National Competition Rules Across Europe" (Danish Chapter)

"International IP Litigation" (Danish contributions)

Languages